Entering its second decade of partnership between the AAEP and Merck Animal Health, the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) provided 3,500 doses of core vaccines to protect horses from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4), tetanus and West Nile Virus. Since its inception, more than 32,000 doses of core vaccines have been distributed to protect horses in need.

“Helping those who help the horse is at the heart of who we are at Merck Animal Health. Partnering with the AAEP to distribute the vaccines allows us to highlight the importance of the equine veterinarian’s role in maintaining the health and welfare of horses,” said Ron McDaniel, Merck Animal Health national equine sales director.

War Horses at Rose Bower, which provides new careers and a safe retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses at least seven years of age or with over 70 starts, is among 191 nonprofit equine rescue and retirement facilities to receive free vaccines in 2019 through UHVRC.

“Through the AAEP’s and Merck’s generosity, our horses get the spring vaccinations necessary for their health, and this allows us to use the money saved on building our program,” said Barbara Luna, founder and president of War Horses at Rose Bower in Appomattox, Va. “It is a huge help to us particularly at this time of year when hay prices have skyrocketed and the need for hay is even greater with Virginia’s alternating rainy and freezing weather.”

Dr. Randall Scarrow, owner of Southside Equine Services in Phenix, Va., coordinated the facility’s application for free vaccines. The annual application deadline is Feb. 1. Learn more at www.uhvrc.org.

About AAEP
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn,  Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.